Corrugated board box construction



March 9, 1954 J os 2,671,598

CORRUGATED BOARD BOX CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 23, 1950INVENTOR dorm R -N ATTORNEY March 9, 1954 J. ROSEN CORRUGATED BOARD BOXCONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1950 INVENTOR QOHN ROSEH15% I ATTORNEY March 9, 1954 J RQSEN CORRUGATED BOARD BOX CONSTRUCTION 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 25, 1950 INVENTOR Oo ROsEN ATTORNEY PatentedMar. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to a box construction having forits main objects economy in manufacture, facility in assembly of theparts, and adequate ruggedness and strength.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to the constructionof a box made of fiberboard, corrugated cardboard or similar sheetmaterial, in which the several component parts thereof are in the formof die cut blanks suitably scored to facilitate relative folding andassembly thereof into a box structure the bottom and side walls of whichare respectively formed of a plurality of superimposed layers of theboxforming sheet material. In the specific embodiment of the inventionas illustrated, the bottom of the box comprises three layers of thesheet material while the side and end walls of the box each comprise atleast two layers of material.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a boxconstruction as above described wherein there is provided a ventilatingslit or opening in its bottom, and wherein the free edges of the sheetmaterial employed in the construction of the box are all substantiallyprotected against the ingress of moisture or other damage thereto.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent to persons skilledin the art from the following specification and the accompanyingdrawings which are illustrative of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it being understood that variations thereof falling withinthe scope of the appended claims will be obvious to persons skilled inthe art.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box constructed inaccordance with and embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view as taken on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken on line 33 of Figure1;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the box showing the parts that enterinto the box assembly;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the main blank of sheet material of which thebox is formed;

Figure 6 is a plan view of one of a duplicate pair of blanks of whichare formed the internal liners of thebox;

Figure '7 is a plan view of one of a duplicate pair of blanks formingthe central transverse partition and top walls of the box;

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the main shell of the box as itappears during the initial stage of expanding it into box-forming shape;

Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating a subsequent stage in thesetting-up of the box; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the main shell of the box as itappears in its final expanded form.

The box of the present invention is generally rectangular in horizontalshape and is centrally partitioned as shown to provide a pair ofcompartments each with a separate cover or lid. Except for the lid allof the walls including the bottom, side and end walls of eachcompartment are of at least two layers of material, the bottom wallbeing preferably of three layers of material and provided with alongitudinal slit for the circulation of air throughout the contents ofthe box.

As best shown in Figure 4, the box comprises five separable elementswhich may be readily assembled and disassembled. The main body element5!, which is made of a single blank shown in Figure 5, itselfconstitutes an open-topped box having a three-ply bottom wall. Theduplicate units l2, each made of the blank shown in Figure 6, eachprovide a second ply for the end and side walls of the box, while theduplicate units it, each made of the blank shown in Figure 7, conjointlyprovide a centrally disposed, transversely extending two-ply partitionwhich divides the box into two equal compartments. It will be observedthat each of the units l3 additionally provides hinged cover or lid foreach of the two compartments.

The main blank shown in Figure 5 consists of a single sheet of materialwhich is die cut and scored as shown, the scoring being indicated by thedotted lines. The vertical score lines divide the main body portion ofthe blank into side wall sections i4 and i5 and end wall sections 56 andil. The side wall section it is provided along its free outer edge witha narrow flap I8 which is designed to overlap the free marginal edgeportion of the end Wall section it and be secured thereto permanently bymetal staples or the like. The bottom edges of the wall-forming sectionsi4, i5, is and ii are each provided with flaps which serve to overlapone another and be interlocked to form a three-ply bottom wall for thebox which is longitudinally divided into two halves by an open slot i9extending the full length of the box. To this end, each of the end wallsections it and i1 is provided with a pair of relatively long extensionsadapted to be folded into right angular relation with respect to theirsupporting wall section, the extensions of the wall section i 6 beingrespectively designated 20 and 2!! and those of the wall section I!being designated 22 and 23.

The side wall sections it and 15 are respectively provided along thebottom edges thereof with flap extensions 24 and 25 each of a lengthequal to the length of the wall section to which it is secured and of awidth approximately twice that of the flaps extending from the wallsections l6 and I1. At this point, it will be noted that the severalflaps 20, 2|, 22, and 23 extending from the wall sections I6 and H areeach of a length approximately one-half the length of the flaps 24 and25 extending from the wall sections l4 and 5, so that when the severalwall sections I4, l5, l6 and I! are arranged in right angular relationto form the side and end walls of the box and the several flapsextending from the bottom edges of said wall sections are inturned toform the bottom Wall of the box, the flaps 20 and 22 conjointly extendalong the full length of the flap 25, while the flaps 2| and 23similarly extend along the full length of the flap 24. The flaps 24 and25 are each longitudinally scored along the dotted lines shown in Figureto respectively provide them with relatively foldable sections 26 and2'| (for the flap 24) and 28 and 29 (for the flap .25). As willpresently appear, the foldable sections 26 and '21 of the side wallsection |4 embrace therebetween the coplanar flaps 2| and 22 when thelatter are turned inwardly of and at right angles to the end walls [6and I1, while the corresponding foldable sections 28 and 29 of the sidewall section l5 embrace therebetween the inturned coplanar fiaps 20 and22 of the end walls.

Referring again to the blank I: of Figure 5, it will be noted that theend wall sections l5 and H are respectively provided along their upperedges with relatively narrow flaps 3E! and 3|, while the side Wallsections l4 and .15 are respectively provided with similar flapscentrally notched to provide the flap sections 32-33 and 3435.

The main body portion ll of the present box is formed from the blankshown in Figure 5 in a manner which will be readily understood frominspection of Figures 8, 9 and 10. For this purpose the blank is foldedalong the vertical score lines so as to form an oblong box with theoverlap flap l8 attached to the end wall l6 by means of wire staples,glue or otherwise. The flaps 20, 2|, '22, and 23 which depend from thelower edges of the end walls l5 and I1 are then turned inwardly of thebox into horizontal, substantially coplanar relation as shown in Figure8. The flaps 24 and 25 which are attached to the lower edges of the sidewalls l4 and I5 are then manipulated in the manner shown in Figures 8and 9 so that the outer portions 2'! and 29 there of commonly enter thelongitudinal slot 37 which extends the full length of the box from oneend wall to the other and is formed between the inner longitudinallyextending edges of the coplanar flaps 25-22 on the one side and thecoplanar fiaps 2|23 on the opposite side of the box. The outer portions2! and 29 are then folded over in the manner shown in Figure 10.

Thus, it will be seen that the relatively foldable sections 26--2'i ofthe side wall bottom flap 24 embrace therebetween one pair of the endwall flaps (2l-23), while the relatively foldable sections '2 8-29 ofthe opposite side wall bottom flap 25 embrace therebetween the remainingpair of the end wall flaps (20-42). In this manner, the bottom wall ofthe box is made up of three plies of sheet material and in addition theseveral flaps cooperate in such manner as to rigidity not only thebottom of the box, but

also impart great rigidity and strength to the entire box. The upperflaps to 35, inclusive, are at this point folded down and serve as areinforcement for the upper edges of the box. If desired, the end wallsI6 and I! may be respectively provided with conventional hand holdopenings 38-38.

The box formed of the blank I shown in Figure 5 has thus far beendescribed as having single-p'ly side and end walls and a triple-plybottom. It now remains to provide the side and end walls with anadditional ply of material and with a centrally disposed dividingpartition wall. For the first of these latter objectives, two blanks|2-|2 of the form shown in Figure 6 are employed, each comprising anoblong piece of sheet material which is provided with two vertical scorelines to divide the blank into a central portion 40 and two end portions4|4|. These blanks are adapted to be folded along the score lines andinserted in the manner shown in Figure 4 so that the central portions 40thereof respectively provide inner reinforcing plies for the oppositeend walls of the main body of the box, while the laterally spacedportions 4|-4| thereof constitute corresponding reinforcing plies forthe side walls of the main body of the box. The overall length of theblank employed in the units I2 is somewhat less than half the perimeterof the box in consequence of which, when they are inserted into the boxin the manner shown in Figure 4, their free ends are separated from eachother and provide a space for receiving therebetween the transverselydisposed partition units |3-.|'3. Preferably, the central portions ofthe units |2--| 2 are each provided with a hand hold opening 42, theselatter being adapted for registry respectively with the hand holdopenings 38-38 formed in the end walls of the box.

With the reinforcing units |2 fully positioned in the main unit I theside and end walls of the box are suitably reinforced. In the nextoperation of the assembly of the box, the units l3 are inserted toprovide a two-ply central partition for the box and to provide a hingedlid or cover for each of the two compartments formed by the partition.The units I 3 are each formed of a blank shown in Figure 7 which issuitably scored as indicated by the dotted lines to provide a main bodyportion 43 and a lid portion 44, the partition portion being providedalong its opposite edges with a pair of parallel flaps 45, while the lidportion is marginally provided with three flaps 46. The two units |3 areassembled into the .box in the manner shown in Figure 4, with their bodyportions 4343 in flatwise engagement and with their corresponding edgeflaps 45-45 oppositely turned into substantially coplanar relation andat right angles to the body portions 4343, each pair of oppositelyturned flaps 45-45 being interposed between a side wall of the main boxstructure and the contiguous portions 4|--4| of the reinforcing inserts40-41). The squared upper ends of the flaps 45-45 of the partitionforming members I3 are respectively overlapped by the downturned flaps32, 33, 34, and of the side walls of the box, in consequence of whichthe body portions 43-43 of the partition forming members are securelyretained within the box against any possibility of vertical displacementtherefrom. It will be noted that the transversely extending bodyportions 43-43 of the units |3--| 8 are so received within the spacesformed between the proximate free ends of the inserts -40 as to preventany possible shifting of the partitioning members lengthwise of the box.With the members l3l3 inserted into position as shown and justdescribed, the portions 44-44 thereof serve as hinged lids for closingthe tops of the two separate compartments of the box, the edge flaps 46of each lid being tucked into the top edges of the box as shown best inFigures 1, 2 and 3. In this connection, it will be observed that whenthe edge flaps 46 of the lid portions 44--44 are tucked between the topedges of the box proper and the corresponding top edges of thereinforcing inserts 4040, the lid portions respectively rest upon andare supported against collapse by said top edges of the inserts. Thus,with the lids closed, the boxes may be safely stacked vertically oneupon the other.

In the bottom wall construction of the box of the present invention, thedimensions of the several ply-forming sections thereof are preferablysuch that when the bottom is completely formed it is provided with thelongitudinally extending slot I9 best shown in Figure 10 for the purposeof ventilating the interior of the box. It will be understood, however,that where the present invention is employed in a construction of box inwhich ventilation is neither desired nor required, then the dimensionsof the bottom-forming sections may be such that the two facing edges ofthe two halves of the bottom closely abut one another and so provide asubstantially sealed bottom. In each form of the invention the structureis such that one pair of parallel walls are provided with portions thatare directed toward each other and form an intermediate layer of atriple-ply bottom, while the other pair of parallel walls are providedwith portions which form upper and lower plies between which theintermediate layer is embraced.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention issusceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made fromtime to time without departing from the general principles or realspirit thereof, and it is accordingly intended to claim the samebroadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A box of the character described having a bottom wall, and a pair ofopposite side walls interconnected by a pair of opposite end wallsdisposed at right angles to said side walls, a pair of separatelyformed, removable internal liners for said box, each liner having acentral body portion disposed flatwise against an end wall of the boxand a pair of lateral extensions respectively disposed flatwise againstthe opposite side walls of the box, the extensions along each side wallbeing disposed in coplanar relation with their free vertical edgesspaced from each other, a pair of separately formed, removable membershaving separable body portions disposed commonly in the space formedbetween the vertical edges of the lateral extensions of said internalliners to thereby form a two-ply partition, a pair of closure membersrespectively hinged to each of said partition-forming members, saidpartition-forming members being each provided with a pair of opposedflap elements respectively adapted for disposition between the sidewalls of the box and their adjoining internal liner extensions, and saidside walls of the box being respectively provided along their top edgeswith inwardly foldable flaps adapted to overlap the top ends of the flapelements of said partition-forming members whereby to maintain thelatter downwardly pressed against the bottom of the box.

2. A box of the character described having a bottom wall, and a pair ofopposite side walls interconnected by a pair of opposite end wallsdisposed at right angles to said side walls, a pair of separatelyformed, removable internal liners for said box, each liner having acentral body portion disposed flatwise against an end wall of the boxand a pair of lateral extensions respectively disposed flatwise againstthe opposite side walls of the box, the extensions along each side wallbeing disposed in coplanar relation with their free vertical edgesspaced from each other, a pair of separately formed, removable membershaving separable body portions disposed commonly in the space formedbetween the vertical edges of the lateral extensions of said internalliners to thereby form a two-ply partition, a pair of closure membersrespectively hinged to each of said partition-forming members, and meansfor locking said partition-forming members in position against verticaldisplacement from the box whereby to maintain said members downwardlypressed against the bottom of the box at all times.

JOHN ROSEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2, 066,485 Quackenbos Jan. 5, 1937 2,326,947 Hurrey et al Aug.17, 1943 2,342,564 Van Saun Feb. 22, 1944 2,344,999 Newsom Mar. 28, 19442,351,825 Limbert June 20, 1944 2,364,829 Tiehenor Dec. 12, 19442,450,419 Cassidy et a1. Oct. 5, 1948 2,475,107 Newsom July 5, 19492,488,194 Hunsworth Nov. 15, 1949 2,540,712 Cassidy et a1 Feb. 6, 1951FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 530,091 Great Britain Dec. 4, 1940

